Attachment for a beverage container

ABSTRACT

An attachment for a beverage container may include a cap configured to attach to an opening in the beverage container. The cap includes an opening. The attachment also include a tube passing through the cap. A beverage in the beverage container can flow through the tube and out of the opening in the cap. The attachment also includes a container attached to the tube and configured to hold a liquid. The container includes an opening to allow the liquid to flow from the container into the tube and out of the opening in the cap. The attachment also comprises a restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube, such that the liquid begins to exit the opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exit the opening in the cap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/766,903 filed on May 26, 2020, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2018/082455 filed on Nov. 23, 2018,which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 17203634.5filed on Nov. 24, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to an attachment for a beverage container.

BACKGROUND

There is interest in being able to enhance the taste perception oftastants such as sugar (sucrose) and salt (sodium chloride) so as toprovide equivalent taste impression in foods and beverages but usinglower levels of addition. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommendsreducing intake of salt and sugar in developed countries down to 2 g ofsodium and 50 g of sugar per capita per day.

Examples of devices capable of containing and dispensing more than oneliquid are seen in GB432400A, EP3033297A1, US2016114942A, EP1628885A1,CN2658077Y, EP2653405A1, CN202717089U, WO2015167951A1 and US2007075079A.

SUMMARY

Particular aspects and embodiments are set out in the appended claims.

Viewed from a first aspect, the present teachings can provide anattachment for a beverage container for dispensing liquids which enhancetaste perception of tastants such as salt and sugar.

In a particular approach, there can be provided an attachment for abeverage container. The attachment comprises a cap configured to attachto an opening in the beverage container, the cap comprising an opening.The attachment also comprises a tube passing through the cap, whereinthe opening in the cap is located proximate to a first end of the tubeand a second end of the tube is configured to be located within thebeverage container when the cap is attached to the beverage container,such that a beverage contained in the beverage container can flowthrough the tube and out of the opening in the cap. The attachment alsocomprises a container attached to the tube and configured to hold aliquid, the container comprising an opening to allow the liquid to flowfrom the container into the tube and out of the opening in the cap. Theattachment also comprises a restrictor between the opening of thecontainer and the tube to control and/or restrict the flow of the liquidfrom the container into the tube. The restrictor and the tube areconfigured such that the liquid begins to exit the opening in the capbefore the beverage begins to exit the opening in the cap.

Thereby, attachments for beverage containers are provided that can beused to sequentially dispense a liquid and a beverage having differingtastant concentrations for consumption by a user in a manner perceivedby the user as a single continuous sip from the attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various example embodiments will now be described in detail by way ofexample only with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a graph of sweetness intensity vs sugar content for theenhancement of sweetness using heterogeneously distributed sucrose in asingle sip.

FIG. 2 is a graph of bitterness intensity for different samples ofdistributed caffeine in a single sip.

FIG. 3 is a graph of sweetness intensity vs number of sips for theenhancement of sweetness using heterogeneously distributed sucrose usingmultiple single sip containers.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing on the left side the sweetness intensity vsnumber of sips using a heterogeneously (HT, open circles) orhomogeneously (HM, open squares) distributed sucrose based syrup in amultiple sip container as described in FIG. 12A-D. On the right side,the graph shows the amount of syrup over the 5 successive sips duringwhich sweetness intensity was measured.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing on the left side the sweetness intensity vsnumber of sips using a heterogeneously (HT, open circles) orhomogeneously (HM, open squares) distributed sucrose based syrup in amultiple sip container as described in FIG. 12A-D. On the right side,the graph shows the amount of syrup over the 5 successive sips duringwhich sweetness intensity was measured.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic cross-section views of an exampleattachment for a beverage container.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic cross-section views of the exampleattachment for a beverage container illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic cross-section views of another example ofan attachment for a beverage container.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic cross-section views of another example ofan attachment for a beverage container.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top down views of the attachment for a beveragecontainer illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B respectively.

FIGS. 11A-D are schematic cross-section views of another example of anattachment for a beverage container.

FIGS. 12A-D are schematic cross-section views of another example of anattachment for a beverage container.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic cross-section views of another exampleof an 10 attachment for a beverage container.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic cross-section views of another exampleof an attachment for a beverage container.

FIG. 15A and 15B are schematic cross-section views of an examplecontainer of an attachment for a beverage container.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic cross-section views of another examplecontainer of an attachment for a beverage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an attachment for a beveragecontainer. The attachment is configured to hold a liquid in a containerforming part of the attachment. The attachment is also configured todispense the liquid contained within the container and the beveragecontained within the beverage container. The attachment is thereforeconfigured to dispense multiple liquids having different tastantproperties for dispensing the liquids for a user, such as a consumer.The liquid combined with the beverage may form a combined beverage forconsumption (i.e. consumable) by a user. The liquid and the beverage maytherefore be thought of as first and second portions of the combinedbeverage. The combined beverage formed by the liquid and the beveragemay be any drink, for example a drink typically consumed hot, such astea, coffee, hot chocolate, or soup, or a drink typically consumed coldsuch as soda, iced tea, fruit juice, drinking yoghurt or milk. Thecombined beverage may be a non-carbonated beverage. Either or both ofthe liquid and the beverage may include a neutraceutical liquid and/or apharmaceutical liquid.

The differing tastant properties as between the liquid and the beveragemay be provided by either one or both of the liquid and the beveragecontaining an amount or a relatively differing amount of a tastant. Thetastant may be sweet, salty, bitter, umami, sour or have flavour. Thetastant may comprise more than one component, for example a saltytastant may consist of potassium chloride and ammonium chloride. Theratio of the concentration of tastant in the liquid to the overallconcentration of tastant in the beverage may be between 3:1 and 1.1:1.For example, the liquid may contain a tastant absent, present in smallerquantities, or present in a relatively differing amount in the beverage,which may be applicable for tastants seen as generally positive by auser, whereas the liquid may have an absence or reduced quantity of atastant seen as generally negative by a user.

Part of the liquid and the beverage being consumable together allows asingle sip of the combined beverage to comprise both the liquid and thebeverage. The total volume of the combined beverage dispensed from theattachment in one dispensing action may therefore be less than or equalto a natural sip volume. A natural sip volume may vary between usersbased upon factors such as gender, age, vessel size, cup vs. strawsipping, and sequence effects, but may be considered to be approximatedby a figure of around 30 ml (see, for example, Dysphagia. 2003Summer;18(3):196-202). As discussed further below, various examples ofthe present approach provide that the attachment may dispense the liquidand the beverage in such manner that a single use of the attachmentdispenses some of the liquid and the beverage such that the userconsumes a portion of the combined beverage volume as a single sip.

To facilitate the differential delivery of the liquid and the beveragehaving the differing tastant content, the attachment is configured toprovide that the liquid is dispensed substantially before the beverage.As discussed further below, there may be an overlap between endingdispensing of the liquid and starting the dispensing of beverage. By theattachment performing in this manner it is provided that the attachmentis able to provide a combined beverage to the user in accordance withthe following taste perception principles. When a liquid containing atastant contacts the tongue before liquid without a tastant, the overalltaste impression is strongly influenced by the concentration of tastantin the first liquid to encounter the tongue.

The following 4 examples provide experimental data relating to thesensory perception of sweetness and bitterness in single and multiplesips.

EXAMPLE 1: ENHANCEMENT OF SWEETNESS USING HETEROGENEOUSLY DISTRIBUTEDSUCROSE IN SINGLE SIP

A trained panel (n=12) was used to capture, through quantitativedescriptive analysis, the sweetness of different samples using packagingsuch as a liquid dispensing apparatus as described herein. A basetypical milk chocolate product was used in this example.

The Homogenous samples contained semi-skimmed milk with Y g per liter ofsucrose and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%), and both chambers(which could be referred to or considered as first and secondcontainers) of the packaging were filled with this liquid composition.The Heterogeneous samples contained semi-skimmed milk with 2 times Y gper liter of sucrose and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%) in theexternal chamber of the packaging and semi-skimmed milk 0 g per liter ofsucrose (0%) and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%) in the internalchamber of the packaging. Overall, the Heterogeneous samples containedsemi-skimmed milk with Y g per liter of sucrose (10%) and 40 g per literof cocoa powder (4%), just like the Homogenous samples.

Y was varied from 50 g per liter down to 2 0g per liter, in decrementsof 5 g per liter, leading to seven Heterogeneous and seven Homogenoussamples, all described for sweetness by the trained sensory panel. Forall Y sucrose content between 50 g per liter and 30 g per liter, theHeterogeneous sample was perceived as more intense than the Homogenoussample of the same concentration. The results are illustrated in FIG. 1, where two samples which are statistically different do not share thesame letters. The statistical significance of the differences isvisualized in FIG. 1 by displaying the error bars representing theFisher's least significant difference (LSD) post-hoc multiple comparisonanalysis computed for factors with an individual error rate of 0.05(equivalent to a 95% confidence level) (CI).

This sweetness enhancement can also be used to reduce sucrose content,without modifying perceived sweetness, since for example theHeterogeneous sample (Y=35 g per liter=3.5%) is perceived as sweet asthe Homogenous sample (Y=50 g per liter=5%), corresponding to a 30%sucrose reduction. cl EXAMPLE 2: BITTERNESS MASKING USINGHETEROGENEOUSLY DISTRIBUTED CAFFEINE IN A SINGLE SIP

A trained panel (n=12) was used to capture, through quantitativedescriptive analysis, the bitterness of different samples using thedescribed packaging. A base typical milk chocolate product was used inthis example.

The samples contained semi-skimmed milk with sucrose at 50 g per liter(5%), 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%) and either:

-   -   0 g per liter of caffeine in both chambers (Reference sample);    -   0.4 g per liter of caffeine in both chambers (Homogenous        Bitter);    -   0.8 g per liter of caffeine in the external chamber        (Heterogeneous Bitter OUT); 0.8 g per liter of caffeine in the        internal chamber (Heterogeneous Bitter IN).

The results in FIG. 2 show that the samples ranked in bitternessintensity in the following order: Reference=Heterogeneous BitterIN<Homogenous Bitter=Heterogeneous Bitter OUT. This demonstrates thatthe bitterness of caffeine can be reduced to the same level as theReference sample not containing caffeine when the caffeine is located inthe inner chamber (or container).

EXAMPLE 3: ENHANCEMENT OF SWEETNESS USING HETEROGENEOUSLY DISTRIBUTEDSUCROSE IN A MULTIPLE SIP CONTAINER (WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED AS A VESSELHAVING TWO CONTAINERS OR CHAMBERS TO HOLD THE DIFFERENT SAMPLES)

A trained panel (n=12) was used to capture, through quantitativedescriptive analysis, the sweetness of different samples using thedescribed packaging. A base typical milk chocolate product was used inthis example.

The Reference samples contained semi-skimmed milk with 50 g per liter ofsucrose (5%) and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%), and both chambersof the packaging were filled with this liquid composition. A negativecontrol reduced in sucrose by 25% contained semi-skimmed milk with 37.5g per liter of sucrose (3.75%) and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%),and both chambers of the packaging were filled with this liquidcomposition. The Heterogeneous samples contained semi-skimmed milk with75 g per liter of sucrose (7.5%) and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%)in the first delivery chamber of the packaging and semi-skimmed milkwith 0 g per liter of sucrose (0%) and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder(4%) in the second delivery chamber of the packaging. Overall, theHeterogeneous samples contained semi-skimmed milk with 37.5 g per literof sucrose (3.75%) and 40 g per liter of cocoa powder (4%), just likethe Homogenous samples.

8 packaging prototypes containing 20 ml each (10 ml for each deliverychamber) were used to deliver 160 ml of homogenous reference, homogenousnegative control with a 25% reduction of sucrose or heterogeneousprototype with 25% reduction of sucrose.

The results in FIG. 3 show that, along the 8 consecutive sipscorresponding to the normal drinking behavior of a 160 ml beverage, theheterogeneous prototype is found to be not significantly less sweet thanthe full sugar reference, whilst the homogenous negative control with25% less sucrose was found significantly less sweet than the reference.

EXAMPLE 4: SENSORY TEST

The panel was composed of 11 panellists (10 female; 1 male) trained toevaluate the sweetness intensity in liquid applications on a 0-10intensity scale.

For this study, two strawberry syrup water samples were evaluated in amonadic way (one after the other). These samples were presented in abottle containing an internal pouch, and pre-filled for each panellistas shown in the table below:

Internal chamber External chamber Sample name (pouch) (bottle) 1Homogeneous Syrup dissolved in water Syrup dissolved in water(approximately 30 g) (approximately 390 g) 2 Heterogeneous Syrupconcentrate Water (approximately 30 g) (approximately 390 g)

The aim was to evaluate whether heterogeneous distribution of sugarpositively impacted sweetness perception along the whole productconsumption.

For each sample, the panellists were asked to take 5 consecutive sips(sip number selected to be as much as possible representative of thevolume consumed in a regular RTD bottle) and to rate the sweetnessintensity perceived after each sip on the 0-10 intensity scale.

For the homogeneous sample, the syrup was pre diluted in Acqua Pannawater at the following concentration: 102.4 g syrup (14% sugar whendiluted 1:5)/1 L of water (Acqua Panna).

For both samples: the empty bottle was filled first with the 390 g ofliquid and the internal pouch was separately filled using a 50 mLsyringe. The unit containing the internal pouch (full of liquid), thestraw with the balls and the lid were then embedded and screwed to thebottle.

Before the tasting, for each panellist, the following were weighed inthe two samples:

-   -   The exact quantity of liquid (syrup concentrate for the        heterogeneous sample; syrup diluted for the homogeneous sample)        incorporated in the internal pouch    -   The exact quantity of liquid (water for the heterogeneous        sample; syrup diluted for the homogeneous sample) incorporated        in the bottle.

After the tasting, for each panellist, the following were weighed in thetwo samples:

-   -   The exact quantity of liquid (syrup concentrate for the        heterogeneous sample; syrup diluted for the homogeneous sample)        remaining in the internal pouch    -   The exact quantity of liquid (water for the heterogeneous        sample; syrup diluted for the homogeneous sample) remaining in        the bottle.

Based on those weight measurements, it was possible to estimate thequantity of syrup consumed by each panellist for each sample after thefive sips.

The average sweetness scores obtained by the two samples after each sipwas then compared and a Student t test was applied to identify whetherthe differences observed were significant. The quantity of syrupconsumed was then compared and a Student t test was applied to identifywhether the difference observed was significant.

The study was repeated twice and the results are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. On both occasions, no significant differences (n.s.) in sweetnessintensity between the homogenous and heterogeneous samples were observedover 5 consecutive sips. However, also on both occasions, the amount ofsyrup consumed was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the heterogeneoussamples (3.84 g and 10.14 g respectively in the first and second study)than in the homogeneous samples (16.84 g and 17.96 g respectively in thefirst and second study) after 5 consecutive sips. These two studiestherefore demonstrate that using heterogeneously distributing packagingallows significant amounts of caloric sweeteners to be removed withoutimpact the sensory sweetness.

Various examples of attachments for a beverage container and use thereofto provide delivery of a liquid and a beverage as outlined above are nowdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 6 to 16 .

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic cross-section views of an exampleattachment 100 for a beverage container 200. FIG. 6A is an explodedcross-section view, illustrating the attachment 100 separated from thebeverage container 200, whilst FIG. 6B is a cross-section viewillustrating the attachment 100 attached to the beverage container 200.

The beverage container has a first end 201, a second end 202 oppositethe first end 201, and one or more side walls 203. The ends and/or theone or more side walls 203 of the beverage container 200 form anexternal shape of the beverage container 200. The beverage container hasan opening 204. The beverage container 200 may be any conventionalbeverage container as known in the art, such as a plastics or glassdrinks bottle, cardboard milk or juice carton, or a metal can. Thebeverage container 200 may be provided as a sealed container containinga beverage 290, with a cap, top or other suitable sealing elementattached to the opening 204 in the beverage container 200.Alternatively, the beverage container 200 may be provided without abeverage 290, allowing the user to fill the beverage container 200 withtheir choice of beverage. The sealing element may be attached by a screwfit, an interference fit or any other suitable attachment means. Thesealing element therefore retains the beverage such as to impede orprevent the beverage 290 contained in the beverage container 200 fromleaking or spilling out of the beverage container 200 during transit orstorage of the beverage container 200 or if the beverage container 200is knocked or tipped over. The beverage 290 in the beverage container200 may be a drink typically consumed hot, such as tea, coffee, hotchocolate, or soup, or a drink typically consumed cold such as soda,iced tea, fruit juice, drinking yoghurt or milk. The beverage 290 may bea non-carbonated beverage and/or may include a neutraceutical liquidand/or a pharmaceutical liquid.

The attachment 100 for the beverage container 200 comprises a cap 110.The cap has a first end 111, a second end 112 opposite the first end111, and one or more side walls 113. The cap 110 is configured to attachto the opening 204 in the beverage container 200. The one or more sidewalls 113 of the cap 110 form an external surface of the cap 110. Theexternal surface of the cap 110 may form a cross-sectional shape whichis substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the beveragecontainer 200. For example, the cap 110 and the beverage container 200may both be substantially circular in cross-section. Alternatively, theexternal surface of the cap 110 may form a cross-sectional shape whichis different to the cross-sectional shape of the beverage container 200.For example, the cap 110 may be substantially circular in cross-sectionwhilst the beverage container 200 may be square or rectangular incross-sectional area.

In use, the sealing element of the beverage container may be removed andthe attachment 100 attached to the beverage container 200 in place ofthe sealing element. The cap 110 of the attachment 100 is configured toattach to the opening 204 in the beverage container 200 by the samemeans as the sealing element.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6 , the opening 204 in the beveragecontainer comprises a screw thread 206. Although not illustrated, thebeverage container may have originally been provided with a sealingelement that was screwed onto the screw thread 204 around the opening204 in order to attached to and seal the beverage container 200. The cap110 also comprises a screw thread 114 on an interior face 116 of the cap110. Having removed the sealing element from the beverage container 200,the cap 110 can be screwed onto the opening 204 in the beveragecontainer 200 in order to attach the cap 110 to the opening 204 in thebeverage container 200 and thereby sealing the beverage container 200.The cap 110 may also comprise a sealing device, such as an elastomericO-ring on the interior face 116 of the cap 110 in order to further sealthe opening 204 in the beverage container 200, thereby preventing thebeverage 290 contained in the beverage container 200 from leaking orspilling out of the beverage container 200, for example if the beveragecontainer 200 is knocked or tipped over. The one or more side walls 113of the cap 110 may be gnarled, roughened or otherwise textured so as toprovide an external surface which can be easily gripped by the user whenscrewing the cap 110 onto the beverage container 200. Alternatively orin addition, the cap 110 may comprise four or more side wall such as tocreate the appearance of a square, hex or octogon nut, which may begripped by the user or a tool, such as a spanner, in order to screw orotherwise attach the cap 110 onto the beverage container 200.

In another example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the cap 110 is pressfit against the opening 204 in the beverage container 200 in order toattach to and seal the beverage container 200. The one or more sidewalls113 of the cap 110 are configured to abut against and provide a pressfit with the internal surface of the opening 204 in the beveragecontainer 200. In this example, the cross-sectional shape of the cap 110formed by the one or more side walls 113 is configured to match thecross-sectional shape of the internal surface of the opening 204 in thebeverage container 200. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8Bthe cap 110 has a flange 115 surrounding the opening 204 in the beveragecontainer and which presses against the first end 201 of the beveragecontainer 200 when the cap is positioned in the beverage container, inorder to provide a larger contact surface between the cap 110 and thebeverage container 200, thereby improving the sealing provided by thecap 110. In some examples, the flange 115 and the corresponding portionof the first end 201 of the beverage container 200 may be bonded in someway, for example using a heat bond or an adhesive bond. Accordingly, theattachment 100 can be designed to fit any conventional beveragecontainer by adapting the cap 110 in order for the cap 110 to beattachable to an opening in the beverage container.

The cap 110 also comprises an opening 118. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6B, the opening 118 is at the first end 111 of the cap 110 and thecap 110 is attached to the beverage container 200 at the second end 112of the cap 110 such that the opening 118 is at the opposite end of thecap 110 to the beverage container 200. Alternatively, the opening 118may be in one or the one or more side walls 113 or may be located at thesame end of the cap 110 as the beverage container 200 is attached to.

The attachment 100 also comprises a tube 120. The tube 120 passesthrough the cap 110, wherein the opening 118 in the cap 110 is locatedproximate to a first end 121 of the tube 120. As illustrated in FIGS. 6Aand 6B, the tube 120 extends from the first end 121 proximate to theopening 118 in the cap such that the tube 120 passes through the cap 110and beyond the second end 112 of the cap 110 to a second end 122 of thetube 120. The second end 122 of the tube 120 is configured to be locatedwithin the beverage container 200 when the cap 110 is attached to thebeverage container 200, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. The length of thetube 120 may be such that, when the cap 110 is attached to the beveragecontainer 200, the second end of the tube 122 is proximate to the secondend of the beverage container 200. This ensures that, when the beveragecontainer is held upright, the fluid level 295 of the beverage 290 isabove the second end 122 of the tube 120. Alternatively, the length ofthe tube 120 may be such that the tube 120 only extends partially intothe beverage container 200, for example such that the second end 122 ofthe tube 120 is proximate to the first end 201 of the beverage container200.

The beverage 290 contained within the beverage container 200 can flowthrough the tube 120 and out of the opening 118 in the cap 110. Forexample, when the beverage container 200 is tilted or tipped, or whensuction is applied to the opening 118 in the cap 110, the beverage canflow into the second end 122 of the tube 120, along the length of thetube 120 and out the first end 121 of the tube 120 at the opening 118 inthe cap 110 such that the beverage 290 flows out of the opening 118 inthe cap 110.

The attachment 100 also comprises a container 130 attached to the tube120. The container 130 is configured to hold a liquid 190. In an exampleillustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the container 130 is located entirelywithin the cap 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, this allows thewidth or diameter of the container 130 to be greater than the width ordiameter of the opening 204 in the beverage container 200, therebyallowing a larger container 130 to be provided, and thus a greatervolume of liquid 190. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and11 , only a portion of the container 130 may be located within the cap110. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the remainingportion of the container 130 not located within the cap 110 extends intothe beverage container 200. In this example, the width or diameter ofthe container 130 is equal to or less than the width or diameter of theopening 204 in the beverage container 200 in order to allow thecontainer 130 to pass through the opening 204 and into the beveragecontainer 200 such that the cap 110 can be attached to the opening 204in the beverage container 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In eachof the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6-11 , the tube 120 extends throughthe container 130.

In another example illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the container 130 isseparate and separable from the cap 110. In this example, the container130 is substantially spherical in shape, but the container 130 may beformed into any other suitable shapes such as cubic, cylindrical,tetragonal or frustoconical. The container 130 is configured to belocated entirely within the beverage container 200 when the cap 110 isattached to the beverage container 200. The container 130 may beresiliently deformable, such that the container 130 can be deformed andsqueezed through the opening 204 in the beverage container 200, beforereturning to its originally, undeformed shape inside the beveragecontainer 200. This allows the undeformed width or diameter of thecontainer 130 to be greater than the width or diameter of the opening204 in the beverage container 200. Pressure from a quantity of beverage290 surrounding the container 130 may enhance the flowrate of the liquid190 out of the container 130.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , once the container 130is located inside the beverage container, it may be configured to berefillable, such that the liquid 190 can be replenished after each usewithout removing the container 130 from the beverage container 200. Forexample, the cap 110 and tube 120 may be removable from the container,thereby allowing the beverage container 200 to be refilled with beverage290 by pouring the beverage 290 and the liquid 190 through the opening204 in the beverage container 200 and into the beverage container 200and the container 130 respectively. The cap 110 and tube 120 can then bereattached to the beverage container 200 and the container 130respectively in order for the beverage container 200 and attachment 100to be reused. Alternatively, the beverage container 200 and/orattachment 100 may only be intended for a single use and discarded afteruse.

In another example illustrated in FIG. 14 , the container 130 isseparate and separable from the cap 110 and the beverage container 200.In this example, the second end 202 of the beverage container 200 isindented to form a recess 208. The container 130 can then be insertedand removed from the recess 208 in the beverage container 200 such thatthe container 130 is located at the end 202 of the beverage container200 that is distal to the opening 204 in the beverage container 200 towhich the cap 110 is attached. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14 ,the container 130 is inserted into the recess 208 in the beveragecontainer 200 and held in place by a push fit connection between themating faces of the container 130 and the recess 208 in the beveragecontainer 200. FIG. 14A illustrates the container 130 located partiallywithin the recess 208 in the beverage container 200, such as to not bemated via the push fit connection. On the other hand, FIG. 14Billustrates the container 130 attached to the recess 208 by the push fitconnection such that the container 130 is located as far into the recess208 in the beverage container 200 as it will fit. A first end 131 of thecontainer 130 is opposite an opening 132 in the container 130. The sidewalls 133 of the container proximate to the first end 131 of thecontainer are indented to allow a user to grip the container 130 at thefirst end 131 of the container 130 and pull the container 130 towardsthe second end 202 of the beverage container 200, thus removing thecontainer 130 from the recess 208 in the beverage container 200.Alternatively, the container 130 may be screwed, glued or otherwiseattached to the recess 208 in the beverage container 200. The container130 and the recess 208 in the beverage container 200 may be configuredsuch that the container 130 cannot be removed from the recess 208 in thebeverage container.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 14B, the container 130 is configuredto be located entirely within the recess 208 in the beverage container200 such that the container 130 does not protrude beyond the second end202 of the beverage container 130. This allows second end 202 of thebeverage container 200 to provide a stable base for the beveragecontainer 200 such that the beverage container 200 can be stored uprighton a surface with the second end 202 of the beverage container 200 incontact with the surface. In another example, the container 130 may beconfigured to fit partially within the recess 208 and to partiallyextend beyond the recess 208. In such an example, the shape of thecontainer 130 may be such as to provide a base for the beveragecontainer 200 as well as being received within the recess 208. In afurther alternative example, the second end 202 of the beveragecontainer 200 may be provided without a recess 208 to receive thecontainer 130. In such an example, the container 130 is, instead,attached directly to the second end 202 of the beverage container. Forexample, the container 130 may be substantially the same cross-sectionalshape as the second end 202 of the beverage container 200 such that,when the container 130 is attached to the second end 202 of the beveragecontainer 200, the container 130 provides a base for the beveragecontainer 200.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 14 , the container 130 can be removedfrom the recess 208 in the beverage container 130 when the liquid 190has been exhausted from the container 130. The container 130 can then berefilled with liquid 190 and re-inserted into the recess 208 in thebeverage container 200 or the container 130 can be discarded and a newcontainer 130 inserted into the recess 208 in the beverage container inits place. This allows containers 130 holding different liquids 190,such as different flavours of liquid or liquids with differentconcentrations of a particular tastant, to be used with the samebeverage container 200 and attachment 100.

In each of the examples the container 130 comprises an opening 132 toallow the liquid 190 to flow from the container 130 into the tube 120and out of the opening 118 in the cap 110. The attachment also comprisesa restrictor 140 between the opening 132 of the container 130 and thetube 120 to control and/or restrict the flow of the liquid 190 from thecontainer 130 into the tube 120. The restrictor 140 and the tube 120 areconfigured such that the liquid 190 begins to exit the opening 118 inthe cap 110 before the beverage 290 begins to exit the opening 118 inthe cap 110.

In each of the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 8 , the tube 120extends through the container 130, such that tube 120 forms an internalsurface in the container 130. The restrictor 140 creates the opening 132in the container 130 on the internal surface in the container 130 formedby the tube 120, such that the liquid 190 is able to flow from thecontainer 130 inwards into the tube 120 by passing through therestrictor 140.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the opening 132 in thecontainer 130 is orientated towards the opening 118 in the cap 110 andthe restrictor 140 is located between the opening 132 in the container130 and the tube 120. The restrictor 140 joins to the tube 120 withinthe cap 110 such that the liquid 190 can flow out of the opening 132 inthe container 130, through the restrictor 140, into the tube 120 and outof the opening 118 in the cap 110. Alternatively, the restrictor 140 mayjoin to the tube 120 outside of the cap 110, for example within thebeverage container 200, such that only the tube 120 extends into andthrough the cap 110.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 14 , the restrictor 140 extends froma first end 141 in the cap 110 through the beverage container 200 to asecond end 147 at the recess 208 in the beverage container 200. Thesecond end 147 of the restrictor therefore forms an opening in therecess 208 in the beverage container 200. In the example illustrated inFIG. 14 , the container is provided with a seal over the opening 132 inthe container, such as a metallic foil or plastic sheet. The second end147 of the restrictor is shaped such that it pierces the seal over theopening 132 in the container 130 when the container 130 is inserted intothe recess 208 in the second container 200. This creates a hole in theopening 132 in the container, thereby allowing the liquid 190 to flowout of the container 130, through the restrictor 140 and the cap 110 andout of the opening 118 in the cap 110. The second end 147 can beconsidered as being an inlet opening for receiving liquid from thecontainer 130.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic cross-section views of the exampleattachment 100 for a beverage container 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6A and6B. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the restrictor 140has an open and a closed position. FIG. 7A illustrates the attachment100 with the restrictor 140 in the closed position and FIG. 7Billustrates the attachment 100 with the restrictor 140 in the openposition. The restrictor 140 in the closed position prevents the liquid190 from flowing from the container 130. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the restrictor 140 comprises one or more holes 142. Inthe closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the one or more holes142 are located below and outside the container 130. The tube 120therefore seals the internal surface of the container 130 and restrainsor prevents the liquid 190 from flowing from the container 130 into thetube 120. The restrictor 140 is translated in a first direction, asindicated by the arrow A, in order to transition the restrictor 140 fromthe closed position to the open position. In the open position, asillustrated in FIG. 7B, the one or more holes 142 are located inside thecontainer 130, thereby creating the opening 132 in the container 130such that the liquid 190 is able to flow from the container 130 inwardsinto the tube 120 by passing through the one or more holes 142. In theopen position, the first end 121 of the tube 120 extends beyond theopening 118 in the first end 111 of the cap 110. This provides a visualindication to the user that the restrictor 140 is in the open position.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the restrictor 140 hasone or more notches 144A, 144B. The notches 144A and 144B are configuredto engage with one or more grooves or slots 124 in the tube 120 in orderto secure and hold the restrictor 140 in the open and closed positionssuch that a force is required to transition the restrictor 140 from theclosed position to the open position and vice-versa. This also preventsmisuse of the attachment 100, for example by preventing the user fromtranslating the restrictor 140 too far in the first direction A. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, only the top portion 120A ofthe tube 120 corresponding to section of the tube 120 containing therestrictor 140 is translated in the first direction. The remainingportion 120B of the tube 120 remains fixed and is not translated. Thismeans that the second end 122 of the tube 120 remains in a fixedposition relative to the beverage container 200, for example apredetermined distance from the second end 202 of the container.Alternatively, the entire tube 120 may be translated when the restrictor140 is translated from the closed position to the open position andvice-versa.

Additionally, the attachment may further comprise a second restrictor150 within the tube 120 to control and/or restrict the flow of thebeverage 290 through the tube 120 and out of the opening 118 in the cap110 of the attachment 100. This provides that, with every sip, theliquid 190 begins to exit the opening 118 in the cap 118 before thebeverage 290 begins to exit the opening 118 in the cap 110, for exampleby providing a differential flow rate between the first restrictor 140and the second restrictor 150. Alternatively, the attachment 100 may notcontain a second restrictor 150 and instead the tube 120 may beconfigured to be resiliently deformable, such that when suction isapplied to the opening 118 in the cap 110, the tube 120 deformsinwardly, thereby controlling and/or restricting the flow of thebeverage 290 through the tube 120 and thus ensuring that liquid 190begins to exit the opening 118 in the cap 118 before the beverage 290begins to exit the opening 118 in the cap 110. The tube 120 may beconfigured such that only the portion of the tube below the firstrestrictor 140 is resiliently deformable, thus providing that only theflow of the beverage 290 is restricted by the tube 120.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second restrictor150 is a non-return valve, such as a ball valve 153, and is locatedproximate to the second end 122 of the tube 120. The second restrictor150 therefore also restrains or prevents the liquid 190 from flowingthrough the tube 120 and into the beverage container 200 whilst alsorestraining or preventing the beverage 290 from flowing back into thebeverage container 200. When the ball valve 153A is located in a firstseat 155A, any liquid 190 or beverage 290 is prevented from flowing intothe beverage container 200 through the second end 122 of the tube 120.When pressure is applied to the second restrictor 150, for example byapplying suction on the first end 121 of the tube 120, squeezing orotherwise applying pressure to the one or more sidewalls 203 of thebeverage container 200 or rotating the attachment 100 and beveragecontainer 200, the beverage 290 begins to flow out of the beveragecontainer 200 and into the second end 122 of the tube 120. This forcesthe ball valve 153 out of the first seat 155A of the ball valve 153 andallows the beverage 290 to flow around the ball valve 153 and down thetube 120 towards the first end 121 of the tube 120. The ball valve 153has a second seat 155B which limits the movement of the ball valve 153and prevents the ball valve 153 from travelling along tube 120 andcontacting the first restrictor 140. A spring or other biasing means maybe used in place of the second seat 155B of the ball valve 153 in orderto limit the movement of the ball valve 153 whilst also acting to returnthe ball valve 153 back into the first seat 155A.

Thus there has now been described a first example of an attachment 100for a beverage container 200 that can be used to sequentially dispense aliquid 190 and a beverage 290 having differing tastant concentrationsfor consumption by a user in a manner perceived by the user as a singlecontinuous sip from the attachment. Such an attachment may contain theliquid in a selective dispensing arrangement which permits a limitedquantity of the liquid to be dispensed to a mouthpiece before thebeverage reaches the mouthpiece.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic cross-section views of another of anattachment 100 for a beverage container 200, with like components shownwith the same reference sign as those used in FIGS. 6 and 7 . Asdescribed above, in contrast to the example attachment 100 illustratedin FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B the cap110 is press fit against the opening 204 in the beverage container 200in order to attach to and seal the beverage container 200 and only aportion of the container 130 may be located within the cap 110. Therestrictor 140 of the example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B alsocomprises one or more holes 142 and the restrictor 140 also has an openand a closed position, with FIG. 8A illustrating the attachment 100 withthe restrictor 140 in the closed position and FIG. 8B illustrating theattachment 100 with the restrictor 140 in the open position. Therestrictor 140 of the example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B thereforefunctions in the same manner as described above with respect to theexample illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Thus there has now been described another example of an attachment 100for a beverage container 200 that can be used to sequentially dispense aliquid 190 and a beverage 290 having differing tastant concentrationsfor consumption by a user in a manner perceived by the user as a singlecontinuous sip from the attachment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic cross-section views of another example ofan attachment 100 for a beverage container 200, with like componentsshown with the same reference sign as those used in FIGS. 6-8 . Thelower portion of the tube 120 in FIGS. 9A and 9B has been omitted forease of illustration. The restrictor 140 of the example illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9B also comprises one or more holes 142 and the restrictor140 also has an open and a closed position, with FIG. 9A illustratingthe attachment 100 with the restrictor 140 in the closed position andFIG. 9B illustrating the attachment 100 with the restrictor 140 in theopen position. In contrast to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 , inthe example illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B the restrictor 140 is rotatedin order to transition from the closed position to the open position.Rotating the restrictor about an axis running from the first end 121 ofthe tube 120 to the second end 122 of the tube 120 rotates the one ormore holes 142 in the restrictor 140 relative to the container 130,thereby creating the opening 132 in the container 130 such that theliquid 190 is able to flow from the container 130 inwards into the tube120 by passing through the one or more holes 142. In the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, only the top portion 120A of the tube120 corresponding to section of the tube 120 containing the restrictor140 is rotated. The remaining portion 120B of the tube 120 remains fixedand is not rotated. Alternatively, the entire tube 120 may be rotatedwhen the restrictor 140 is translated from the closed position to theopen position and vice-versa.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the one or more sidewalls 133 of the container 130 are shaped so as to provide a trough 134on one side of the container 130.

When the restrictor 140 is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG.9A, the one or more holes 142 in the restrictor 140 are not aligned withthe trough 134 on one side of the container 130, such that the liquid190 is prevented from flowing from the container 130. When therestrictor 140 is rotated into the open position as illustrated in FIG.9B, the one or more holes 142 in the restrictor are aligned with thetrough 134 on the side of the container 130, such that the liquid 190 isable to flow from the container 130 inwards into the tube 120 by passingthrough the one or more holes 142. The container 130 may be configuredto have a plurality of troughs 134 around the perimeter of thecontainer, such that the restrictor 140 may be rotated through apredetermined angle until one of the one or more holes 142 is alignedwith a trough 134. For example, if the container 130 has two troughs 134on opposite sides of the container 130 and the restrictor 140 has twoholes 142 on opposite sides of the restrictor would be rotated through90 degrees in order to transition from the closed position to the openposition and vice-versa. This is illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, whichillustrate top down views of the attachment illustrated in FIGS. 9A and9B respectively. FIG. 10A shows the first end 121 of the tube 120 whenthe restrictor in the closed position and FIG. 10B shows the first end121 of the tube 120 when the restrictor is the open position. In thisexample, the first end 121 of the tube 120 is oval shaped incross-section in order to provide a visual indicator to the user as towhich position the restrictor 140 is in. Alternatively, the first end121 of the tube 120 may be any other shape with discrete rotationalsymmetry. As can be seen in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the orientation of themajor axis the oval shaped first end 121 of the tube 120 in the open andclosed positions is 90 degrees different.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the tube 120 alsocomprises one or more holes 126A, 126B and the container comprises oneor more vents 136A, 136B, thereby allowing air to enter the container.When the top portion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding to section ofthe tube 120 containing the restrictor 140 is in the open position, theholes 126A, 126B are aligned with vents 136A, 136B located towards afirst end 131 of the container 130, the first end of the container beingat the opposite end to the opening 132 in the container 130. When theholes 126A, 126B are aligned with the vents 136A, 136B, air is able toflow into the first end 121 of the tube 120, along the tube 120, throughthe holes 126A, 126B into the vents 136A, 136B and into the container130. Alternatively, the vents 136A, 136B may be in the one or more sidewalls 133 of the container 130 to allow air to enter the container 130from outside the attachment 100 by directly entering the vent withoutfirst having to pass along the tube 120. The vents 136A, 136B thus actto prevent a vacuum from forming inside the container 130 as the liquid190 exits the container 130, thereby preventing either or both ofdeformation of the container 130 and reduced flow rate of the liquid 190out of the container 130.

Thus there has now been described another example of an attachment 100for a beverage container 200 that can be used to sequentially dispense aliquid 190 and a beverage 290 having differing tastant concentrationsfor consumption by a user in a manner perceived by the user as a singlecontinuous sip from the attachment.

FIGS. 11A-D are schematic cross-section views of another example of anattachment 100 for a beverage container 200, with like components shownwith the same reference sign as those used in FIGS. 6-10 . Therestrictor 140 of the attachment 100 illustrated in FIGS. 11A-D issubstantially the same as described above in respect of the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 . In the example illustrated in FIGS.11A-D, the restrictor has a plurality of open positions, wherein adifferent volume of the liquid 190 can flow from the container 130 ineach of the plurality of open positions. The restrictor 140 is rotatedin order to transition between each of the plurality of open positions.The restrictor 140 in the example illustrated in FIGS. 11A-D comprises aplurality of holes 142A-C. Each hole of the plurality of holes 142A-Chas a different diameter, with hole 144A having the smallest diameter,and hole 144C having the largest diameter. Rotating the restrictor 140between each of the plurality of open positions changes the diameter ofthe hole 144A-C the liquid 190 is able to flow from the container 130through, thereby changing the flow rate of the liquid 190 and the volumeof liquid 190 that can flow from the container 130 in each of the openpositions.

FIG. 11A illustrates the attachment 100 with the restrictor 140 in theclosed position and FIGS. 11B-D illustrate the attachment 100 with therestrictor 140 in each of the open positions. In the example illustratedin FIG. 11A, none of the plurality of holes 142A-C are aligned with thetrough 134, and therefore no liquid 190 is able to flow from thecontainer 130.

In order to transition the restrictor 140 from the closed position asillustrated in FIG. 11A to the first open position as illustrated inFIG. 11B, the top portion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding to sectionof the tube 120 containing the restrictor 140 is rotated through 90degrees about an running from the first end 121 of the tube 120 to thesecond end 122 of the tube 120. In the first open configuration, hole142A is aligned with the tough 134, and therefore the liquid 190 canflow into the trough 134 and out of the container 130 through hole 142A.

In order to transition the restrictor 140 from the first open positionas illustrated in FIG. 11B to the second open position as illustrated inFIG. 11C, the top portion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding to sectionof the tube 120 containing the restrictor 140 is rotated in the samedirection through a further 90 degrees, such that the top portion 120Aof the tube 120 corresponding to section of the tube 120 containing therestrictor 140 is rotated through 180 degrees to transition from thefirst open position to the second open position. In the second openconfiguration, hole 142B is aligned with the tough 134. Hole 142B has alarger diameter than hole 142A, and therefore more of the liquid 190 canflow into the trough 134 and out of the container 130 through hole 142Bthan when the restrictor 140 is in the first open position.

In order to transition the restrictor 140 from the second open positionas illustrated in FIG. 11C to the third open position as illustrated inFIG. 11D, the top portion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding to sectionof the tube 120 containing the restrictor 140 is rotated in the samedirection through a further 90 degrees. Hole 142C has a larger diameterthan hole 142A and hole 142B, and therefore more of the liquid 190 canflow into the trough 134 and out of the container 130 through hole 142Cthan when the restrictor 140 is in the first open position or the secondopen position.

The top portion 120A of the tube 120 may be configured to allow furtherrotation of the restrictor such that the restrictor can be transitionedfrom the third open position to the closed position by rotating the topportion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding to section of the tube 120containing the restrictor 140 in the same direction through a further 90degrees. Alternatively, the top portion 120A of the tube 120 may beconfigured with a stop to prevent further rotation of the portion of thetube 120 once the restrictor is in the third open position, such thatthe top portion 120A of the tube 120 must be rotated in the oppositedirection through 270 degrees in order to transition the restrictor fromthe third open position back to the closed position.

Alternatively, the restrictor may comprise an elongate slot, wherein ineach of the plurality of open positions a different cross-sectional areaof the elongate slot is aligned with the trough 136 in the container130, thereby changing the volume of the liquid 190 that can flow fromthe container in each of the plurality of open positions.

It will be appreciated that amount of rotation required to transitionbetween each of the positions of the restrictor and the number of openpositions of the restrictor are for illustration purposes, and that anyinterval of rotation may be used in combination with any number of openpositions. Also, the amount of rotation required to transitions betweendifferent positions may be different. For example, a 90 degree rotationmay be required to transition from the closed position to the openposition, followed by a 45 degree rotation in order to transitionbetween each of the open positions. Alternatively, the restrictor may beconfigured such that, when in the closed position, rotation of the topportion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding to section of the tube 120containing the restrictor 140 in a first direction will transition therestrictor 140 to a first open position whilst rotation of the topportion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding to section of the tube 120containing the restrictor 140 in the direction opposite to the firstdirection will transition the restrictor 140 to a second open position.

Thus there has now been described another example of an attachment 100for a beverage container 200 that can be used to sequentially dispense aliquid 190 and a beverage 290 having differing tastant concentrationsfor consumption by a user in a manner perceived by the user as a singlecontinuous sip from the attachment.

FIGS. 12A-D are schematic cross-section views of another example of anattachment 100 for a beverage container 200, with like components shownwith the same reference sign as those used in FIGS. 6-11 . The lowerportion of the beverage container 200 in FIGS. 12A-D has been omittedfor ease of illustration. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12A-D, therestrictor 140 has an open and a closed position. FIG. 12A illustratesthe attachment 100 for a beverage container 200 with the restrictor 140in the closed position and FIG. 12B illustrates the attachment 100 for abeverage container 200 with the restrictor 140 in the open position. Therestrictor 140 is translated in a first direction, as indicated by thearrow A, in order to transition the restrictor 140 from the closedposition to the open position. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.12A-D, only the top portion 120A of the tube 120 corresponding tosection of the tube 120 containing the restrictor 140 is translated inthe first direction. The remaining portion 120B of the tube 120 remainsfixed and is not translated.

This means that the second end 122 of the tube 120 remains in a fixedposition relative to the beverage container 200, for example apredetermined distance from the second end 202 of the container (notshown).

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12A-D, the top portion 120A of thetube 120 has one or more grooves or slots 124A, 124B. The slots 124A and124B are configured to engage with a spring-loaded latch 117 in the cap110 in order to secure and hold the restrictor 140 in the open andclosed positions such that a force is required to transition therestrictor 140 from the closed position to the open position andvice-versa. This also prevents misuse of the attachment 100, for exampleby preventing the user from translating the restrictor 140 and the topportion 120A of the tube 120 too far in the first direction A. It willbe appreciated that, whilst the illustrated embodiment employs one ormore slots and a spring-loaded latch 117, any form of biasing means maybe used in order to hold the restrictor in either the closed position orthe open position.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12A-D the restrictor comprises aplurality of non-return valves 143A, 143B. The restrictor illustrated inFIGS. 12A-D comprises two ball valves 143A, 143B, a first ball valve143A located towards the container 130 and a second ball valve 143Blocated towards the tube 120. Other types of non-return valve may beused, for example a rubber or silicone diaphragm valve, a lift-checkvalve, an in-line check valve or a duckbill valve. Equally, more thantwo non-return valves may be used, for example 3 or 5.

When the restrictor 140 is in the closed position, the first ball valve143A is located in a first seat 145A, thereby preventing liquid 190 fromflowing into the container 130 through the opening 132 in the container130. When the restrictor 140 is in the closed position, the second ballvalve 143B is located in a first seat 145B, thereby preventing liquid190 from flowing towards the first ball valve 143A. When the restrictor140 is in the closed position, the slit 125 in the top portion 120A ofthe tube 120 does not align with the remaining portion 120B of the tube120. The top portion 120A of the tube 120 therefore blocks the remainingportion 120B of the tube 120, thereby preventing the beverage 290 fromflowing along the tube 120 and out of the opening 118 in the cap 110.

When the restrictor 140 is in the open position and pressure is appliedto the restrictor, for example by applying suction on the first end 121of the tube, squeezing or otherwise applying pressure to the one or moresidewalls 203 of the beverage container 200 or tipping or tilting theattachment 100 and beverage container 200, the liquid 190 begins to flowout of the opening 132 in the container 130 and forces the first ballvalve 143A out of the first seat 145A of the first ball valve 143A. Thisallows the liquid 190 to flow around the first ball valve 143A andtowards the second ball valve 143B. The first ball valve 143A has asecond seat 145C which limits the movement of the first ball valve 143Aand prevents the first ball valve 143A from travelling along therestrictor 140 and contacting the second ball valve 143B. A spring orother biasing means may be used in place of the second seat 145C of thefirst ball valve 143A in order to limit the movement of the first ballvalve 143A whilst also acting to return the first ball valve back intothe first seat 145A. With the restrictor 140 in the open position, theliquid 190 flows towards the second ball valve 143B and forces thesecond ball valve 143B out of the first seat 145B of the second ballvalve 143B. This allows the liquid 190 to flow around the second ballvalve 143B, into the top portion 120A of the tube 120 and out of theopening 118 in the cap 110. With the restrictor 140 in the openposition, the slit 125 in the top portion 120A of the tube 120 isaligned with the remaining portion 120B of the tube 120, therebyallowing the beverage 290 from flowing along the tube 120 and out of theopening 118 in the cap 110.

The top portion 120A of the tube 120 has a smaller cross-sectional areathan the restrictor, and therefore the second end 123 of the top portion120A of the tube 120 acts to limit the movement of the second ball valve143B within in the restrictor. The second end 123 of the top portion120A of the tube 120 may also have an internal chamfer which increasesthe contact area between the second end 123 of the top portion 120A ofthe tube 120 and the second ball valve 143B, thereby providing a betterseal. When the restrictor 140 is in the closed position, the second end123 of the top portion 120A of the tube 120 is in contact with thesecond ball valve whilst the ball valve also located in the first seat145B of the second ball valve 143B, thereby preventing the second ballvalve 143B from moving.

When the restrictor 140 is transitioned into the open position, thesecond end 123 of the top portion 120A of the tube 120 is moved awayfrom the second ball valve. Applying pressure to the restrictor 140, forexample by applying suction on the first end 121 of the tube, squeezingor otherwise applying pressure to the one or more sidewalls 203 of thebeverage container 200 or rotating the attachment 100 and beveragecontainer 200 thereby causes the liquid 190 to force the second ballvalve 143B out of the first seat 145B of the second ball valve 143B. Thesecond ball valve 143B is then forced along the restrictor 140 until itcomes into contact with the second end 123 of the top portion 120A ofthe tube 120 and thus sealing the second end 123 of the top portion 120Aof the tube 120. This prevents any further liquid from flowing into thesecond end 123 of the top portion 120A of the tube 120 whilst therestrictor is still in the opening configuration. Accordingly, only aportion of the liquid 190 is able to flow into the second end 123 of thetop portion 120A of the tube 120 and out of the opening 118 in the cap110. Applying further suction to the first end 121 of the tube 120,squeezing or otherwise applying further pressure to the one or moresidewalls 203 of the beverage container 200 or rotating the attachment100 and beverage container 200 through a greater angle will only resultin the beverage 290 flowing through the tube 120 and out of the opening118 in the cap 110.

In order for the user to obtain more of the liquid 190 from theattachment 100, the pressure in the restrictor 140 must be reduced inorder for the second ball valve 143B to return back to being located infirst seat 145B of the second ball valve 143B. This may be achieved, forexample, by reducing suction on the first end 121 of the tube, reducingpressure on the one or more sidewalls 203 of the beverage container 200or tipping or tilting the attachment 100 and beverage container 200 suchthat the second ball valve 143B returns back to being located in firstseat 145B of the second ball valve 143B under the influence of gravity.When the user wishes to take another sip, pressure is reapplied in therestrictor 140, for example by applying suction on the first end 121 ofthe tube, squeezing or otherwise applying pressure to the one or moresidewalls 203 of the beverage container 200 or rotating the attachment100 and beverage container 200 such that the liquid 190 is able to forcethe second ball valve 143B out of the first seat 145B of the second ballvalve 143B. Thus the operation of the second ball valve and the secondend of the top portion of the tube permits a given quantity of theliquid to be dispensed per sip from the first end of the tube.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12A-D, the restrictor 140 has aplurality of open positions, wherein a different volume of the liquid190 can flow from the container 130 in each of the plurality of openpositions and the restrictor 140 is further translated in the firstdirection as indicated by the arrow A in order to transition betweeneach of the plurality of open positions. FIG. 12B illustrates theattachment 100 for a beverage container 200 with the restrictor 140 in afirst open position, FIG. 12C illustrates the attachment 100 for abeverage container 200 with the restrictor 140 in a second open positionand FIG. 12D illustrates the attachment 100 for a beverage container 200with a comparison between the position of the restrictor 140 in thefirst and second open positions as illustrated in FIGS. 12B and 12Crespectively.

The distance between the lower non-return valve 143B and the uppernon-return valve 143B defines a first volume 146A of the restrictor 140in which the liquid 190 may collect. The distance between the first seat145B of the second ball valve 143B and the second end 123 of the topportion 120A of the tube 120 defines a second volume 146B. The amount ofliquid 190 which is delivered in each sip is dependent upon the secondvolume 146B. Accordingly, translating the restrictor 140 from the firstopen position as illustrated in FIG. 12B to the second open position asillustrated in FIG. 12C increases the distance between the first seat145B of the second ball valve 143B and the second end 123 of the topportion 120A of the tube 120, thereby increasing the second volume 146Band thus the amount of liquid 190 that can be delivered with each sip.This also increases the distance the second ball valve 143B must travelin order to contact the second end 123 of the top portion 120A of thetube 120. This difference in distance is illustrated in FIG. 12D.

In an alternative embodiment, the first non-return valve 143A is arubber or silicone diaphragm valve whilst the second non-return valve143B is a ball valve, since the first non-return 143A only has toprevent the liquid 190 from flowing back into the container 130, whereasthe second non-return valve 143A operates to prevent the liquid 190 fromflowing back into the container 130 in between sips and to limit themaximum dispensed volume of liquid 190 per sip.

Thus there has now been described another example of an attachment 100for a beverage container 200 that can be used to sequentially dispense aliquid 190 and a beverage 290 having differing tastant concentrationsfor consumption by a user in a manner perceived by the user as a singlecontinuous sip from the attachment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic cross-section views of another exampleof an attachment 100 for a beverage container 200, with like componentsshown with the same reference sign as those used in FIGS. 6-12 . In theexample illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B the restrictor comprises aplurality of ball valves 143A, 143B. The operation of the ball valves143A, 143B is substantially the same as described above in respect ofthe example illustrated in FIGS. 12A-D, with the exception that thesecond seat 145C of the first ball valve 143A and the first seat 145B ofthe second ball valve 143B are formed into a single component. The topportion 120A of the tube 120 is also entirely contained within the cap110, such that, when the second ball valve 143B is in contact with thesecond end 123 of the top portion 120A of the tube 120, the second ballvalve 143B is also in contact with the cap 110.

Thus there has now been described another example of an attachment 100for a beverage container 200 that can be used to sequentially dispense aliquid 190 and a beverage 290 having differing tastant concentrationsfor consumption by a user in a manner perceived by the user as a singlecontinuous sip from the attachment.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic cross-section views of another exampleof an attachment 100 for a beverage container 200, with like componentsshown with the same reference signs as those used in FIGS. 6-13 .

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the restrictor 140 hasa plurality of open positions and a closed position, and the restrictor140 is rotated in order to transition between the closed position andeach of the plurality of open positions. The first end 141 of therestrictor 140 is contained within the cap 110 and is integrated withthe cap 110 such that rotating the cap 110 causes the first end 141 ofthe restrictor 140 to be rotated and thus transitions the restrictorbetween the closed position and each of the plurality of open positions.The plurality of open positions can be provided, in some examples, asone or more discrete open positions, each of which provides for avariable degree of opening on a continuous or stepwise basis.

The top portion 120A of the tube 120 is also located entirely within thecap 110 such that rotating the cap 110 causes the top portion 120A ofthe tube to rotate. When the restrictor 140 is in the closed position,the top portion 120A of the tube 120 and the remaining portion 120B ofthe tube 120 are not aligned, and therefore the beverage 290 cannot flowout of the opening 118 in the cap 110. When the cap 110 is rotated suchthat the restrict is in one of the open positions, the top portion 120Aof the tube 120 and the remaining portion 120B of the tube 120 arealigned such that the beverage 290 can flow out from the container 200,through the remaining portion 120B and the top portion 120A of the tube120 and out of the opening 118 in the cap 110.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B the restrictor comprisesa ball valve 143A. The operation of the ball valve 143A is substantiallythe same as described above in respect of the example illustrated inFIGS. 12 to 14 , with the exception that the upper extent of travel ofthe ball valve 143A is limited by a member 149 located towards the firstend 141 of the restrictor 140. The member 149 is attached to the cap 110such that, as the cap 110 is rotated, the member 149 is also rotated andtranslated away from the second end 147 of the restrictor 140. Thisincreases the volume 146A and the distance between the member 149 andthe seat 145A, thereby increasing the range of travel of the ball valve143A. The restrictor is configured such that member 149 is through adifferent a different angle and thus translated a different distance ineach of the open positions, thereby providing a different volume of theliquid 190 that can flow from the container 130 and through therestrictor 140 in each of the plurality of open positions. The membermay be configured such that, when the restrictor 140 is in the closedposition, the member is located proximate to the seat 145A such that therange of travel of the ball valve 143A is substantially zero.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic cross-section views of example containers130 of an attachment 100 for a beverage container 200 for use with theattachment 100 and beverage container 200 illustrated in FIGS. 14A and14B. The example containers 130 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 areconfigured to be variable in volume. FIGS. 15A and 16A illustrate,respectively, the containers 130 in a first configuration with a firstvolume whilst FIGS. 15B and 16B illustrate, respectively, the containers130 in a second configuration with a second volume. The first volume isgreater than the second volume such that the first configuration can bereferred to as the full or undeformed configuration whilst the secondconfiguration can be referred to as the empty or deformed configuration.In the second configuration, the volume of liquid 190 that the container130 is able to hold may be substantially zero.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the side walls 133 ofthe container 130 comprise one or more creases or folds 133A, 133B. Forexample, the side walls 133 of the container 130 may comprise aplurality of folds 133A, 133B extending substantially from the first end131 of the container 130 to the opening 132 in the container 130 suchthat the side walls form a concertina shape. In use, as the liquid 190flows out of the container 130, the reduction in pressure in thecontainer 130 causes the one or more folds 133A, 133B to close together,bringing the first end 131 of the container 130 towards the opening 132in the container 130 and thus reducing the volume of the container 130.The one or more folds 133A, 133B allow the container 130 to beresiliently deformable, such that a decrease in pressure inside thecontainer 130 will cause the container 130 to deform from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration and an increase in pressureinside the container 130 will cause the container 130 to expand from thesecond configuration to the first configuration. Accordingly therestrictor 140 may comprise one or more non-return valves 143A, 143B, inorder to prevent or restrict the liquid 190 from flowing back into thecontainer 130 from the restrictor 140.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a movable piston orbase 135 is provided within the container 130. In the firstconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 16A, the moveable base is locatedproximate to the first end 131 of the container 130 such that the liquid195 can be contained between the movable base 135 and the opening 132 inthe container 130. The movable base 135 is configured to slide withinthe container 130, whilst the cross-sectional shape of the moveable base135 is configured to be substantially the same as the side walls 133 ofthe container 130 such that liquid 190 is unable to flow between themovable base 135 and the side walls 133 of the container. The moveablebase 135 therefore provides a fluid tight seal across the container, insome optional examples additionally using a sealing element between themovable base 135 and the side walls 133 of the container. In use, as theliquid 190 flows out of the container 130, the reduction in pressure inthe container 130 causes the moveable base 135 to be drawn away from thefirst end 131 of the container 130 and towards the opening 132 in thecontainer 130 and thus reducing the volume of the container 130. Themovable base 135 is configured to provide a friction fit against theside walls 133 of the container 130 such that the movable base can bedrawn away from the first end 131 of the container 130 and towards theopening 132 in the container 130, but the moveable base 135 is preventedfrom moving back towards the first end 131 of the container 130. Thismeans that, in use, the volume of the container 130 can only bedecreased, thereby preventing any pressure increase in the container 130causing the fluid 190 to flow back into the container 130 from therestrictor 140.

Thus there has now been described another example of an attachment for abeverage container that can be used to sequentially dispense a liquidand a beverage having differing tastant concentrations for consumptionby a user in a manner perceived by the user as a single continuous sipfrom the attachment.

In each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 11 , the amount ofliquid 190 which the user will receive with each sip is determined bythe configuration of the restrictor 140 and the length of time betweeneach sip. The longer the period of time between each sip, the greaterthe volume of liquid that can flow through the restrictor 140 and intothe tube 120, and therefore the greater the amount of liquid 190 thatwill be received by the user in the next sip.

In each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14 , the amount ofliquid 190 which the user will receive with each sip is determined bythe configuration of the restrictor 140, independent of the amount oftime between sips. In particular, the first volume 146A and the secondvolume 146B of the restrictor 140 determines the volume of liquid 190which can be stored in the restrictor 140 in between sips, and thereforevolume of liquid 190 which will be delivered with each sip.

In each or any of the examples described above, the delivery of theliquid 190 and the beverage 290 may be sequential and/or overlapping.For overlapping delivery, the liquid 190 continues to flow out of theopening 118 in the cap 110 of the attachment 100 whilst the beverage 290begins to flow out of the opening 118 in the cap 110 of the attachment100. In other words, the delivery of the liquid 190 out of theattachment 100 overlaps with the delivery of the beverage 290 out of theattachment 100. In alternative approaches, the liquid 190 may bedepleted from the attachment 100 before the beverage 290 begins to flowout of the opening 118 in the cap 110 of the attachment 100. In otherwords, the delivery of the liquid 190 out of the attachment 100 may becompleted before the delivery of the second beverage 290 out of theattachment 100 commences. In dependency upon the tastant properties ofthe liquids and the tastant sensitivity of a tongue, the attachment maybe configured to cause the liquid 190 be depleted from the attachment100 a very short period of time after the beverage 290 begins to flowout of the opening 118 in the cap 110 of the attachment 100, therebyminimising the overlap between the delivery of the liquid 190 and thedelivery of the beverage 290, while also avoiding a gap between deliveryof the liquid and the beverage.

As discussed above, one of the liquid 190 and the beverage 290 containsa tastant which is essentially absent from the other liquid, or ispresent in a relatively differing amount. The composition of the liquid190 and the beverage 290 may be essentially the same from theconcentration of the tastant. For example, the liquid 190 and thebeverage 290 may be substantially identical in terms of fats, air,proteins, macronutrients and carbohydrates, such that the liquid 190 andthe beverage 290 comprise the same components in the same relativeproportions apart from the presence of the tastant in one of the liquid190 and the beverage 290. The liquid 190 and the beverage 290 may bevisually the same. For example, the liquid 190 and the beverage 290 mayhave the same visual appearance, such as the colour, structure, texture,or any other obviously and directly perceivable property without tastingor smelling, such that the liquid 190 and the beverage 290 appear tohave the same composition for users of the attachment 100 for a beveragecontainer 200. The density and/or viscosity of the liquid 190 and thebeverage 290 may be substantially the same. As will be appreciated bythe skilled reader, the detection of and sensitivity to differenttastants may be explained by the principle of chemesthesis.

The tastant may be sweet, salty, bitter, umami, sour and may have anassociated aroma or texture. For example, a salty tastant may consist ofone or more of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and ammoniumchloride. A sweet tastant may consist of one or more of glucose,sucrose, fructose or galactose.

The beverage 290 may be a medicine, a nutraceutical or a dietarysupplement. In this case, the beverage 290 may have a bitter or sourtastant associated with the composition of the medicine, thenutraceutical or the dietary supplement. This tastant may be essentialabsent from the liquid 190. When the liquid 190 and the beverage 290 aredelivered from the attachment 100, for example into the mouth of a user,the liquid 190 flows out of the attachment 100 before the beverage 290.The user therefore tastes the liquid 190 before the bitter or sourbeverage 290, given the user a more pleasant taste experience than ifthe beverage 290 were delivered at the same time or before the liquid190.

The tastant in the combined beverage of the invention may comprisesodium chloride, for example the tastant may be sodium chloride. Humanshave added common salt (sodium chloride) to their food for thousands ofyears and have grown accustomed to its taste. As a result, the mostdesirable saltiness profile is that obtained with sodium chloride.Sodium chloride can act to enhance the overall flavour of the food. Thecombined beverage according to the present approaches may contain 140 mgof sodium or less per 100 g of the total beverage. The U.S. Food andDrug Administration define meals and main dishes to be “low in sodium”if they contain 140 mg or less of sodium per 100 g.

The tastant in the combined beverage of the present approaches maycomprise sucrose, for example the tastant may be sucrose or othersweetness component.

In the combined beverage to be dispensed from the attachment 100 for abeverage container 200 of the present examples, part of the liquid 190and the part of the beverage 290 may consumable together followed byanother part of the liquid 190 and another part of the beverage 290together. For example the combined beverage may be such that a part ofthe first portion may be consumable with a part of the second portion ina series of such combinations, for example a series of at least 3combinations, for example a series of at least 5 combinations, forexample series of at least 10 combinations. The combined beverage of theinvention may be such that the majority of the second portion by volumeis consumable in a series of combinations comprising (for exampleconsisting of) part of the first portion and part of the second portiontogether. Such combinations can be delivered by adjusting the relativeflow rates of the liquid 190 and the beverage 290 from the attachment100 for a beverage container 200 so as to alter the flow overlap of theliquid 190 and the beverage 290 as discussed above.

Aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in thefollowing numbered clauses:

1. An attachment for a beverage container comprising: a cap configuredto attach to an opening in the beverage container, the cap comprising anopening;a tube passing through the cap, wherein the opening in the cap islocated proximate to a first end of the tube and a second end of thetube is configured to be located within the beverage container when thecap is attached to the beverage container, such that a beveragecontained in the beverage container can flow through the tube and out ofthe opening in the cap;a container attached to the tube and configured to hold a liquid, thecontainer comprising an opening to allow the liquid to flow from thecontainer into the tube and out of the opening in the cap; anda restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube tocontrol and/or restrict the flow of the liquid from the container intothe tube, the restrictor and the tube configured such that the liquidbegins to exit the opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exitthe opening in the cap.2. The attachment of clause 1, wherein at least a portion of thecontainer is located within the cap and the tube extends through thecontainer.3. The attachment of clause 2, wherein the container is located entirelywithin the cap.4. The attachment of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein therestrictor has an open and a closed position, and wherein the restrictorin the closed position prevents the liquid from flowing from thecontainer.5. The attachment of clause 4, wherein the restrictor is translated in afirst direction in order to transition from the closed position to theopen position.6. The attachment of clause 4 or clause 5, wherein the restrictor has aplurality of open positions, and wherein a different volume of theliquid can flow from the container in each of the plurality of openpositions.7. The attachment of clause 6, wherein the restrictor is furthertranslated in the first direction in order to transition between each ofthe plurality of open positions.8. The attachment of clause 7, wherein the restrictor comprises aplurality of holes, and translating the restrictor in the firstdirection changes the number of holes the liquid is able to flow fromthe container through.9. The attachment of clause 6, wherein the restrictor is rotated inorder to transition between each of the plurality of open positions.10. The attachment of clause 9, wherein the restrictor comprises aplurality of holes, wherein each hole of the plurality of holes has adifferent diameter, and rotating the restrictor between each of theplurality of open positions changes the diameter of the hole the liquidis able to flow from the container through.11. The attachment of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein thecontainer comprises a vent to allow air to enter the container.12. The attachment of any one of the preceding clauses, furthercomprising a second restrictor within the tube to control and/orrestrict the flow of the beverage through the tube and out of theopening in the cap.13. The attachment of clause 12, wherein the second restrictor is anon-return valve.14. The attachment of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein thecontainer is separable from the attachment and/or the beveragecontainer.15. The attachment of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein thecontainer is located at an end of the beverage container distal to theopening in the beverage container.16. The attachment of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein thecontainer configured to be variable in volume.17. A container for use with the attachment of any of clause 14 or anyclause dependent thereon, the container configured to hold a liquid andconfigured to attach to dispense a held liquid to a tube of theattachment via an opening in the container.18. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

the attachment of any of clauses 1 to 16; and

a beverage container comprising an opening, wherein the attachment isattached to the opening.

19. The beverage dispensing system of clause 18, wherein:

the attachment comprises the attachment of clause 14; and

the beverage container comprises an inlet opening configured to connectto a container to receive liquid therefrom. ps 20. The beveragedispensing system of clause 19, further comprising the container ofclause 18.

21. An attachment for a beverage container comprising:a cap configured to attach to an opening in the beverage container, thecap comprising an opening;a tube passing through the cap, wherein the opening in the cap islocated proximate to a first end of the tube and a second end of thetube is configured to be located within the beverage container when thecap is attached to the beverage container, such that a beveragecontained in the beverage container can flow through the tube and out ofthe opening in the cap;a container attached to the tube and configured to hold a liquid, thecontainer comprising an opening to allow the liquid to flow from thecontainer into the tube and out of the opening in the cap, wherein thecontainer is located entirely within the cap; anda restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube tocontrol and/or restrict the flow of the liquid from the container intothe tube, the restrictor and the tube configured such that the liquidbegins to exit the opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exitthe opening in the cap, wherein the restrictor has an open and a closedposition, the restrictor in the closed position prevents the liquid fromflowing from the container and the restrictor is translated in a firstdirection in order to transition from the closed position to the openposition.22. An attachment for a beverage container comprising: a cap configuredto attach to an opening in the beverage container, the cap comprising anopening;a tube passing through the cap, wherein the opening in the cap islocated proximate to a first end of the tube and a second end of thetube is configured to be located within the beverage container when thecap is attached to the beverage container, such that a beveragecontained in the beverage container can flow through the tube and out ofthe opening in the cap;a container attached to the tube and configured to hold a liquid, thecontainer comprising an opening to allow the liquid to flow from thecontainer into the tube and out of the opening in the cap; anda restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube tocontrol and/or restrict the flow of the liquid from the container intothe tube, the restrictor and the tube configured such that the liquidbegins to exit the opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exitthe opening in the cap, wherein the restrictor has a closed position anda plurality of open positions, wherein the restrictor in the closedposition prevents the liquid from flowing from the container and adifferent volume of the liquid can flow from the container in each ofthe plurality of open positions, the restrictor is translated in a firstdirection in order to transition from the closed position to one of theplurality of open positions and the restrictor is rotated in order totransition between each of the plurality of open positions.23. An attachment for a beverage container comprising:a cap configured to attach to an opening in the beverage container, thecap comprising an opening;a tube passing through the cap, wherein the opening in the cap islocated proximate to a first end of the tube and a second end of thetube is configured to be located within the beverage container when thecap is attached to the beverage container, such that a beveragecontained in the beverage container can flow through the tube and out ofthe opening in the cap;a container attached to the tube and configured to hold a liquid, thecontainer comprising an opening to allow the liquid to flow from thecontainer into the tube and out of the opening in the cap; anda restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube tocontrol and/or restrict the flow of the liquid from the container intothe tube, the restrictor and the tube configured such that the liquidbegins to exit the opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exitthe opening in the cap, wherein the restrictor has a closed position anda plurality of open positions, wherein the restrictor in the closedposition prevents the liquid from flowing from the container and adifferent volume of the liquid can flow from the container in each ofthe plurality of open positions, the restrictor is translated in a firstdirection in order to transition from the closed position to one of theplurality of open positions and the restrictor is further translated inthe first direction in order to transition between each of the pluralityof open positions.24. An attachment for a beverage container comprising:a cap configured to attach to an opening in the beverage container, thecap comprising an opening;a tube passing through the cap, wherein the opening in the cap islocated proximate to a first end of the tube and a second end of thetube is configured to be located within the beverage container when thecap is attached to the beverage container, such that a beveragecontained in the beverage container can flow through the tube and out ofthe opening in the cap;a container attached to the tube and located at an end of the beveragecontainer distal to the opening in the beverage container, the containerconfigured to hold a liquid, the container comprising an opening toallow the liquid to flow from the container into the tube and out of theopening in the cap, wherein the container is separable from theattachment and the beverage container and the container configured to bevariable in volume; anda restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube tocontrol and/or restrict the flow of the liquid from the container intothe tube, the restrictor and the tube configured such that the liquidbegins to exit the opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exitthe opening in the cap.

The skilled person will appreciate that these embodiments are providedonly by way of example, and different features from differentembodiments can be combined as appropriate without departing from thespirit and scope of the present teachings. Accordingly, the scope of thepresently claimed invention is to be defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1-13 (canceled)
 14. A beverage dispensing system comprising: anattachment comprising a cap attached to a beverage container opening ina beverage container, the cap comprising a cap opening and a tubepassing through the cap, wherein the cap opening is located proximate toa first end of the tube, and a second end of the tube is located withinthe beverage container with the cap attached to the beverage container,such that the attachment is configured for a beverage contained in thebeverage container to flow through the tube and out of the cap opening,the cap further comprises a liquid container attached to the tube andconfigured to hold a liquid, the liquid container comprising a liquidcontainer opening to allow the liquid to flow from the container intothe tube and out of the cap opening, the cap further comprises arestrictor between the liquid container opening and the tube to have atleast one function selected from the group consisting of controlling andrestricting the flow of the liquid from the container into the tube, therestrictor and the tube configured such that the liquid begins to exitthe cap opening before the beverage begins to exit the cap opening; andthe beverage container comprising the beverage container opening,wherein the attachment is attached to the beverage container opening.15. (canceled)
 16. An attachment for a beverage container, theattachment comprising: a cap configured to attach to an opening in thebeverage container, the cap comprising an opening; a tube passingthrough the cap, wherein the opening in the cap is located proximate toa first end of the tube, and a second end of the tube is configured tobe located within the beverage container when the cap is attached to thebeverage container, such that a beverage contained in the beveragecontainer flows through the tube and out of the opening in the cap; acontainer attached to the tube and configured to hold a liquid, thecontainer comprising an opening to allow the liquid to flow from thecontainer into the tube and out of the opening in the cap; and arestrictor between the opening of the container and the tube to have atleast one function selected from the group consisting of controlling andrestricting the flow of the liquid from the container into the tube, therestrictor and the tube configured such that the liquid begins to exitthe opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exit the opening inthe cap, wherein the attachment has at least one configuration selectedfrom the group consisting of: (i) the restrictor has an open and aclosed position, and the restrictor in the closed position prevents theliquid from flowing from the container, (ii) the container comprises avent to allow air to enter the container, (iii) the attachment furthercomprises a second restrictor within the tube to control and/or restrictthe flow of the beverage through the tube and out of the opening in thecap, wherein the second restrictor is a non-return valve, (iv) thecontainer is separable from at least one of the attachment or thebeverage container, (v) the container is located at an end of thebeverage container distal to the opening in the beverage container, and(vi) the container is configured to be variable in volume.